SHKLOV DISTRICT, 12 July (BelTA) – The striving for independence inherent in Belarusians can be explained by the unsubmissive and freedom-loving nature of their ancestors, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he attended the Kupala Night Festival (Alexandria Gathers Friends) on 10 July, BelTA has learned.
“We know that Belarusians' striving for independence is explained by unsubmissive and freedom-loving nature of our ancestors who never were slaves or slave owners. And never in their history were they aggressors, quite the opposite, they always tried to maintain peace and accord with their closest neighbors. Therefore, the unity of the people of Belarus in their ethnic, cultural and religious diversity is unshakable,” the president said.
“We are trying to stick to these traditions today. Hence our entire policy. We do not claim foreign lands. We do not want to cause trouble for our neighbors and distant nations. We want to live in peace and harmony with everyone,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.
He once again drew attention to the following point: Belarusians have never been slaves or slave owners. “That is why we cannot allow anyone to think of us as of slaves. More than that, we cannot allow ourselves to turn into slaves. We are a nation. A nation who, for the first time in hundreds of years, built their independent and sovereign state that always differs from others in terms of character, morals and traditions. We are Belarusians and we have all features of a nation. These national traits come from the depth of history. It was not me who invented them,” the president said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that it is for a reason that this national festival is called Alexandria Gathers Friends: “This is also an age-old tradition - to share joy with those who come to our home to share peace and good. And we, Belarusians, are always ready to accept into our big family everyone who shares our values and the way of life, our historical memory.”
He went on saying that representatives of various countries performed at the festival and all these years they shared a piece of their culture with participants and guests of the festival. “The history of the Kupala Night Festival in Alexandria continues uninterrupted despite the pandemic and external political disagreements. It will always be so. This year is no exception, because we are the keepers of this tradition, the people who shape their future and choose the life path,” Belarusian leader emphasized.
Aleksandr Lukashenko sincerely thanked all those involved in running this festival, as well as performers whose talent and creativity became the highlight of the event. “I would like to thank the artisans who came here to show us their works despite this African heat,” the president said.
“Let the atmosphere of love, friendship and harmony reigning here will give us, like a magical fern flower, faith in our own strength and inspire us to strive for new heights in the name of a peaceful and prosperous future of our Belarus,” the head of state concluded.
